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Evan Johnson (Salt Lake City )

Lots and lots of banging on each other the last 50 laps or so. More so than I have seen in a really long time. Is this a product of the COT being bigger and sturdier, or are the guys like Jimmie says getting too comfortable with the DF restarts?

Marty Smith

  (2:11 PM)

It's always been that way with 50 or less to go. The drivers have always said that's when courtesy goes out the window.

Saul (San Diego )

Marty, You have spent a good deal of time with Dale Jr, what happens to him if he can't turn things around with RH; if he can't compete like his teammates do every race? How is his mental state?

Marty Smith

  (2:15 PM)

They're going to be patient with Juniro, Saul. No question he's failed to live up to expectations. When Tony Jr. admitted his vulnerability last weekend at Chicago, it was an eye opener for everyone. Junior is improving mentally. He was in bad shape for a while, but is running better, and that's helped tremendously.

Cody (Honolulu, HI)

I know it's early and you can never put Johnson, Stewart, or Gordon out, but doesn't it look like it's Mark Martins year?

Marty Smith

  (2:16 PM)

Four wins don't lie, Cody. The ol' man's wheelin' it. But don't forget -- Kyle Busch won eight of the first 26 races in '08. We can't get too carried away yet.

chris ( st louis Mo)

Do you think Kyle knows that alot of fans don't like him , is because he acts like a crybaby

Marty Smith

  (2:18 PM)

A lot of fans don't like him, Chris, you're right. But a hell of a lot of fans do like him. He says some hair-brained stuff, but he's also brought an outlaw vibe to the table. We haven't had one of those in a while, and a lot of fans tell me they dig it.

Evan Johnson (Salt Lake City )

Potential Eury Jr-Brad K. relationship in the making? Could you see them both at Stewart-Haas working on that third car?

Marty Smith

  (2:19 PM)

I could definitely see that, Evan. By all means. They were really fast at the end of the race Saturday night.

bob (watertown ny)

have you ever been to or heard of oswego speedway.stewart,kahne and newman are there in august

Marty Smith

  (2:21 PM)

Heard of Oswego, Bob, sure. Never been, though. That Kahne/Newman show will be sweet. I love it that when those boys show up at those races they run well, but typically get beaten - like Kenseth did the other night back home in Wisconsin. Shows how many great drivers there are out there nobody's heard of yet.

Brenin Young (Columbus)

Why isn't Pops an option to climb Junior's pit box?????

Marty Smith

  (2:22 PM)

Who said he wanted to, Brenin?

Jack (Brooklyn, NY)

Marty, total speculation but had they each lived which driver would have had the most successful career: Tim Richmond, Alan Kulwicki, or Davey Allison?

Marty Smith

  (2:24 PM)

Whoa. Impossible question, Jack. All three had serious game. Many say Richmond was the most talented driver ever, but I'm biased, man. I'm a Davey Allison fan. He was the man, so I have to go with Davey. Again, biased opinion.

Mike Mitchell (Jacksonville Fl)

Marty you mentioned Brad K and Eury as an option for a 3rd car at SHR, any rumors on sponsorship for that 3rd car with Brad K?

Marty Smith

  (2:25 PM)

Not yet, Mike. But sources at SHR tell me there's been considerable interest in joining SHR, in general, not necessarily with Brad. I'm told, at this time, the third car is a 50/50 proposition. Remember: Stewart said he would LIKE to add a third team if the right deal came along. It's not a signed-sealed-delivered deal yet.

brian (seattle)

how come jeff burton was so mad about the double file restarts its almost like he was cursing the fan for enjoying the sport in its puriest form.. at our local track we run double file restart? he is trying to change the rule of just blowing off steam..

Marty Smith

  (2:26 PM)

He was just pissed, Brian. He's been piled up the past month. I'd be pissed, too.

Tom (Boston, Ma)

Hey Marty, what's the future hold for Yates Racing? Hearing their getting rid of Menard

Marty Smith

  (2:28 PM)

Well, the rumor is Menard is getting rid of Yates, Tom, not vice versa. Who knows what the future is at Yates. As I stated earlier, I grew up a 28 fan. I want to see them do well.

Cory (Arlington, VA)

Do you ever get a chance to catch those NASCAR classics on ESPN? Watched the '98 Brickyard yesterday and can't get enough of the early-to-late '90's races, those were my high school days when I really got into the sport.

Marty Smith

  (2:29 PM)

I watched that yesterday, too, Cody. It was awesome, but you can't tell me the racing isn't better today. Seriously.

Sharpie (KC)

What's your thoughts on the new story about Kevin Harvick reportedly asking out of his final year at RCR to potentially join Stewart-Haas? It's up on Sports Illustrated's website right now.

Marty Smith

  (2:30 PM)

I believe it. I predicted that would happen back at Sonoma, last month.

Eric (VA)

Marty, Is it a total coincident that Truex's team was penalized this past weekend after he announced he was leaving? I don't want to call shenanigans on it, but the timing was pretty odd. Anything to that?

Marty Smith

  (2:32 PM)

Maybe I'm naive, Eric, but I would say it's a complete coincidence. Nobody at EGR has beef with Truex. He's doing what he feels is best for him, and no one can fault him for that.

Tyler (PA)

I am offering a challenge to all the Junior fans out there. Everyone is saying that Junior's performance is why NASCAR is tanking(which is bologna). Anyway, I challenge you to watch the races and attend them, even though Jr. isn't running well. When both he and Gordon stunk in 05, we didn't have this problem. If you can't watch the racing, then you are not real NASCAR fans. Go find another sport to watch.

Marty Smith

  (2:34 PM)

Don't forget, Tyler, NASCAR Chairman Brian France even mentioned once that sport needed Junior to run well. There's no question: more people pay attention when he's winning. But ultimately you're right, the sport's bigger than any one guy.

Felipe (Dallas)

Will any top team ever give JPM a shot? He seems to be the real deal now and a threat if he gets a better car.

Marty Smith

  (2:36 PM)

He is the real deal. His transition to stock cars has been impressive. Very impressive. He has good cars. He's in Chase contention. It's not like EGR has bad stuff. They don't have Hendrick stuff, but they have good cars. Truex isn't leaving because the equipment is bad, he said he's leaving because there's too many unanswered questions.

Rick (Mpls...)

Tired of all the Danica talk yet? No way she's coming.

Marty Smith

  (2:37 PM)

I just left the Goodyear tire test at Atlanta Motor Speedway. I asked Denny Hamlin about her while I was there. Watch NASCAR Now tonight. You'll crack up at his facial expression.

Colleen (Canada)

Hey Marty, how are things going in Atlanta. I hope it's not raining. I can't wait for them to race at night there.

Marty Smith

  (2:39 PM)

It's not raining, Colleen. In fact, it's gorgeous outside. Hot and sunny. Only Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin spoke to the media today. Stewart and McMurray chose not to address us.

Joe (Missoula, MT )

Marty, with the addition of Stewart Haas racing this year and the success they have had. Do you believe its time for Nascar to step in and do something about teams that have more than four cars ie Roush and Hendrick, they can pull so much data from everywhere that it is making other teams less competitive.

Marty Smith

  (2:40 PM)

Sure doesn't seem to be overly strongly-enforced, does it, Joe?

Marty Smith

  (2:41 PM)

Okay guys, I hate to bail out, but have to run. I appreciate your time very much! Any remaining questions, please send to ESPNsider@aol.com. I'll address them in my Door to Door column. Thanks!